Do you feel like a goddess? If not, why not? What’s holding you back? A total of 226 of you took part in our body positivity survey and the results were quite an eye-opener!
Here’s what you revealed…
6 in 10 of you feel negative or very negative about your body most of the time. Only 2 in 10 feel positive or very positive. More than HALF say poor body image has stopped you from doing something you wanted to do, and 4 in 10 say how you feel about your body influences your mood in a negative way.
Almost 4 in 10 believe there is less body positivity in society today than there was 10 years ago.
A QUARTER of you told us you have a disability and almost 8 in 10 of you with a disability say it impacts upon your body image.
More than HALF of you confess to spending a lot of time worrying about what other people think of your appearance, while more than 60% spend more time thinking about what you dislike about your appearance than what you do like.
HALF say your appearance is important in how you determine your self worth.
All dolled up…
3 in 10 of you feel best about your body when dressed up for a special occasion, and 2 in 10 feel best after receiving a compliment.
BODY HANG-UPS
A QUARTER of you believe there is such a thing as an ideal body shape. But only 1 in 10 of you feel reflected in the images seen in media and advertising
Wobbly waistlines: The tummy area is the part of your body most of you are least happy with.
9 in 10 believe young people should be taught at school about adopting a positive body image.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Almost HALF of you believe images on social media have an impact on body confidence. In the past year, when using social media, more than HALF of you have been targeted by adverts for weight-loss groups, gyms, cosmetic dental surgery, anti-ageing treatments, shapewear, and cosmetic surgery.
A force for good or bad?
4 in 10 believe that when it comes to body image, social media is a negative force.
A WHOLE NEW YOU
7 in 10 of you have thought about altering your appearance through diet and exercise, 3 in 10 have considered weight loss products, a QUARTER have considered cosmetic surgery or cosmetic dental surgery, and almost 3 in 10 have considered anti-ageing products.
Some 6 in 10 of you have tried to alter your appearance through diet and exercise, 2 in 10 through weight-loss products, and almost 2 in 10 through anti-ageing products.
What you had to say…
‘People aren’t perfect, and we should be encouraged to love our imperfections as that’s what makes us all different.’
‘I’m a size eight but because I’m not the same shape as those in the public eye of the same size, I tend to wear bigger, baggier clothes.’
‘Where are the stretch marks? The crow’s feet? The only time they’re shown is when advertising products to get rid of them.’
‘Social media has the power to be a great advocate for body positivity, but sites such as TikTok and Instagram promote filters and so-called perfect bodies.’
‘Every photo I see in advertising is heavily airbrushed. It’s impossible to look that way in real life, but we feel as though we should.’
‘It’s what you feel that matters. We’re all our own worst critic.’